296 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



his friends, who were on the wrong side laughing at his 

 fall, said, " Never mind, gentlemen, 'tis a rum way of 

 doing things that horse has, but no matter, we are both 

 on the right side, and that's were you won't be just yet.'* 

 Jack and the Irishman soon understood each other 

 better, and were for many seasons nearly inseparable 

 companions ; but he would never take his fences except 

 in his own peculiar manner. 



The Irish train their horses by leading them with a 

 long rein over their high banks and walls, a man fol- 

 lowing behind with a driving whip. A few practical 

 lessons of this kind teach a horse how to use his legs, 

 and after two or three rolls he becomes au fait at 

 his business. He is then backed and ridden across 

 country. The use of a leaping bar is now become 

 almost obsolete in this country, but I always considered 

 it a necessary appendage in a hunting establishment, 

 where a breeding stud is kept up, to supply a succession 

 of horses for the field. A horse which will not submit 

 to be led as well as ridden over fences cannot be con- 

 sidered a perfect hunter. Although the practice of lead- 

 ing over fences should never be resorted to as long as a 

 chance remains of getting over them in the saddle, yet 

 occasions will arise where leading over is not merely 

 the quickest but only way of obtaining a footing on the 

 other side. Fox chases lead one into very queer places 

 sometimes. Outhouses and gardens about villages are 

 often resorted to by foxes as a last refuge, and I am 

 quite satisfied I never could have been with my hounds 

 through such places unless my horse had been properly 

 trained to follow as well as carry his master. 



I remember once coming to a plank bridge only, over 



